Therapeutic Potentials of Black Seeds (Nigella sativa) in the Management of COVID-19 -A Review of Clinical and In-silico Studies

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and patients with COVID-19 are managed mainly using repurposed conventional drugs, which target the viral entry and viral replication of SARS CoV-2 along with standard care and supportive therapy. Objective: This review article focuses on the potential benefits of black seeds (Nigella sativa) observed in clinical and in silico molecular docking studies of COVID-19. Methods: The literature was searched using databases such as LitCOVID, Web of Science, Google Scholar, bioRxiv, medRxiv, Science Direct, EBSCO, Scopus, EMBASE, and reference lists to identify published manuscripts or preprints related to the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 with black seeds (N. sativa) or their phytoconstituents. Results: Various clinical studies and in silico molecular docking studies determined that black seeds (N. sativa) and their bioactive phytoconstituents have potential activity against SARS CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 could be managed using black seeds (N. sativa) along with supportive care, which would speed up the recovery and decrease the mortality rate. More randomized controlled clinical trials would further establish the safety and efficacy of N. sativa in COVID-19 patients.